Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Sunrise Deli – San Francisco
Sunrise Deli - San Francisco
Photo from Sunrise Deli
Sunrise Deli at a glance
San Francisco Sunset District
- 🥙 Middle Eastern Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 21 of the guests
#1965 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#7 Middle Eastern Restaurant out of 7 in San Francisco
Good
6.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
345
Reviews
60.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Exceptional Falafel
- Friendly Service
Frequently criticized
- Poor Cleanliness
- Uninviting Ambience
The restaurant Sunrise Deli is a Middle Eastern restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Sunset District. You’ll discover a welcoming spot here, perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, offering a fantastic array of healthy options.
Whether you’re craving a satisfying lunch or a delightful dinner, this casual eatery provides a taste of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in a friendly atmosphere.
Overview: Introducting Sunrise Deli
Sunrise Deli offers a culinary experience where the food often shines, particularly the falafel which many find exceptional. While the service generally receives praise for its friendliness and accommodating nature, some experiences suggest inconsistencies.
However, visitors should manage expectations regarding the ambience , which is frequently described as rustic or needing attention. Despite this, many appreciate the overall value for the quality of the main dishes.
Good
6.5
out of 10
345
Reviews
60.9%
Satisfaction
111
negative
24
neutral
210
positive
Sunrise Deli earns an overall score of 6.5, placing it squarely in the average category, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 60.9%. This assessment is drawn from 345 customer remarks, comprising 210 positive and 111 negative observations.
The culinary offerings are a clear highlight, with Food scoring a respectable (6.9), often praised for its quality. Service also performs well at (7.2), reflecting many positive interactions.
However, the Value (5.2) is considered average, and the Ambience (4.4) is noted as an area needing significant improvement.
What people like
- Exceptional Falafel
- Friendly Service
- Good Food Quality
What people don't like
- Poor Cleanliness
- Uninviting Ambience
- Small Portions
With a recommendation score of 6.9, Sunrise Deli is a place worth considering if your priority is flavorful Middle Eastern food, especially their highly-regarded falafel. Be prepared for a no-frills setting, as the focus here is clearly on the plate.
If you value a polished dining environment or generous portions above all else, you might find it falls short. However, for a satisfying meal and genuinely pleasant interactions, many find the experience rewarding.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Sunrise Deli
Food (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, it seems theres a lot to love! With a solid average score of 6.9 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 65.5%, many rave about the best falafel ever, authentic food, and fresh ingredients. Out of 235 comments, 154 were positive, highlighting delicious and savory options.
However, not everyone was completely thrilled. There were 63 negative comments, with some diners experiencing skimpy portions, cold food, and dishes lacking flavor. A few also mentioned dry meat' or issues with freshness, suggesting some inconsistency in execution.
Food
235
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
63
negative
18
neutral
154
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Best falafel ever
- Fresh, authentic flavors
- Delicious vegan options
What people don't like
- Skimpy, cold portions
- Food lacked flavor
- Dry, inconsistent meat
Often praised
- falafelThe falafel was neither mushy nor hard, but really crisp, moist and flavorful
- food7, and I gave the kufta dish a solid 4, saving the last plate for later. Overall, it was a decent meal that left us feeling clean, as the food was not greasy. I would recommend this place, and we plan on visiting again in the future.
- hummusI found the falafel to be the best I've ever had. The pickled radish, olives, and hummus were also delicious. For dessert, I highly recommend the chocolate sesame dessert; it was so good it made me cry.
- baklavaand some baklava.
- falafel textureHoly cow, this is the best falafel I've ever eaten. I hate when falafel is dry and crumbly — these were melt in your mouth with lots of flavor. Relatively inexpensive for SF too.
- falafelsthe kufta wrap and falafels are worth it!
- shawarmaThe shawarma (mixed chicken and lamb for me) were very good
- best falafelThe falafel was perfectly crisp, moist, and flavorful, avoiding the common mushy or hard texture. It was so good that someone in our party described it as 'the best falafel I have ever had, ' a sentiment we all agreed on. We ended up ordering an additional half dozen pieces, happily enjoying them with a smear of their tasty hummus.
- other foodI tried the falafel and it was the best I've had in San Francisco; I couldn't stop eating it because it was so yummy. Their other food is great too. I particularly enjoyed the falafel pita and some baklava.
- tasteamazing delicious fantastic taste that ever had on arabian food
Frequently criticized
- falafelMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the falafel was quite good, albeit a bit salty, and the scharwma was edible, I cannot say the same for the hummus or tabouleh. I personally make much better versions of both these dishes, and I believe most home cooks can too.
- hummusBland, watery expensive hummus. Tasted like pureed beans, tahini and mildly salted water. No seasoning whatsoever!
- foodMediocre food
- portionsJust the other day, I ordered the veggie combo plate, and the plate was the size of a regular bread and butter plate. The portions were very skimpy, leaving me feeling like I had a snack instead of a meal. It's a real shame because this place used to be great.
- chickenCold chicken warmed up in a toaster oven
- dolmasEverything arrived cold. The dolmas were refrigerator-cold and tasted sour. The lamb was incredibly dry, and the pita bread was covered in flour.
- falafelsserved us cold and a few hours old falafels
- food qualityThe food was bland and cheap (in quality
- lambComing from Chicago, where the shawarma is great, this was quite possibly the worst I've had. The shawarma was lacking flavor, and the lamb was tougher than ever. Perhaps they were off on 9/27/18.
- portion sizethe chicken shawarma plate is somewhat small
If you're craving top-notch falafel and authentic Middle Eastern flavors, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some experiences point to inconsistencies in portion sizes or food temperature, so manage your expectations for other dishes.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
Overall, the service at this spot truly shines, boasting a strong score of 7.2 and a solid 72.7% customer satisfaction, both indicating a good experience. Based on 32 positive pieces of feedback, many customers rave about the excellence and genuine warmth of the owner and staff, consistently highlighting friendly and quick service. However, not every visit was perfect, with 12 negative reports pointing to some inconsistencies.
A few patrons encountered a nasty attitude or aggressive tone from workers, and some mentioned longer waiting times or general dissatisfaction with customer service, suggesting there's room for improvement in certain areas.
Service
44
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
12
negative
0
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Owner's warmth
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Long waiting
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was defined by great shawarma and friendly service. While the place has a somewhat grungy-ish feel, with the bathroom located directly through the kitchen and lacking a sink in the room, the quality of the food and the welcoming service more than compensated.
- ownerMy experience eating at Sunrise Deli was delightful. The owner is very generous and so easy to communicate with. I visited the deli/diner for the Falafels and I am overwhelmed by the fluffy, flavorful, and textured Falafels.
- staffNice staff
- OwnerOwner is a nice man
- ServiceService:5
- allergies and dietary restrictionsMy experience with their catering services was exceptional. They were incredibly great to work with for our catering needs and were so accommodating of allergies and dietary restrictions. On top of all of that, the food was so delicious!
- catering needsso great to work with for our catering needs
- creative cookthe onwer is very poliet and creative cook
- customer serviceprovided excellent customer service and was patient
- dude working the counterthe dude working the counter was really great
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was mixed. The place needs some cleaning and better service. I believe the food would be better if prepared at the moment, not heated up.
- aggressive toneand an aggressive tone
- chefSurfaces and walls were filthy. The chef was not wearing a mask, and when I inquired, I was told he was vaccinated, which is still against the law. The food was mediocre and not very fresh.
- customer serviceCustoner service is garbage
- deliverydo not order delivery
- man working therethe man working there now is really gruff and unfriendly
- nasty attitudewith a nasty attitude
- old man workingOld man who was working didn’t even want to be there was kind of rude
- vendorThe food is good, but the place is uglier than a SUS hospital. The vendor was handling the food without gloves to serve it. It was stuffy.
- waitingI had the best falafel I’ve ever tasted in the US. While there's only one warm elderly gentleman handling both billing and cooking, which means you need to be patient, the wait is absolutely worth it. I highly recommend this place; you truly can’t go wrong.
If you're seeking genuinely warm and often quick service, especially from the owner, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that a few experiences have noted occasional gruffness or longer waits, so be prepared for a potentially mixed bag.
Ambience (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot has a bit of a mixed reputation. While the overall customer satisfaction sits at a rather poor 31.9%, the score of 4.4 suggests its not entirely without its unique charm. Many appreciate its hole in the wall vibe and homely, family owned feel, often finding it a convenient place with a lively street atmosphere, especially with outdoor seating.
However, a substantial 26 comments out of 47 highlight significant concerns. Many describe the establishment as needing a deep cleaning, with frequent mentions of filth on surfaces and walls. The bathroom is often cited as decrepit, and some even found the place smells heavily of oil, making it difficult to breathe inside.
Clearly, cleanliness' is a major sticking point for many.
Ambience
47
Reviews
31%
Satisfaction
26
negative
6
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unique "hole in wall"
- Homely, family feel
- Lively street seating
What people don't like
- Needs deep cleaning
- Filthy surfaces
- Decrepit bathroom
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- hole in the wallLove this hole in the wall!
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- convenient placeIt is also in a very convenient place
- family owned and operatedA very homely local family owned and operated falafel deli
- feel of the placethe feel of the place only adds to the charm
- lively streeton this lively street during Covid
- placeSuper old place but feels awesome
- restaurantA quaint, no frills restaurant
- seatingSeating is set up outside on this lively street
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe vendor was handling the food without gloves to serve it. It was stuffy. The food was reasonable, although the environment wasn't inspiring at all.
- bathroomthe bathroom is directly through the kitchen
- placeThe food is good, but the place is uglier than a SUS hospital. The vendor was handling the food without gloves to serve it.
- Covid protocolsDid not meet Covid protocols
- Gyro machineGyro machine has not been used in centuries
- Surfaces and wallsSurfaces and walls were filthy
- cleanlinessnot that clean
- deep cleaningin a need of a deep cleaning
- difficult to breatheit felt difficult to breathe
- environmentIt was stuffy. The food was reasonable, although the environment wasn't inspiring at all.
If youre looking for a pristine dining environment, this might not be your spot, as cleanliness is a major concern for many. However, if you appreciate a no-frills, hole in the wall' charm and are willing to overlook some rough edges, you might find its unique character appealing.
Value (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
When it comes to value, its a bit of a mixed bag, with an overall score of an average 5.2. Many diners, however, have found some real gems, praising the good value and pricing for certain dishes, with some even calling specific items a fantastic deal. Based on 9 positive remarks, it seems there are definitely opportunities to eat well without breaking the bank here.
On the flip side, customer satisfaction for value is a mixed 47.4%, reflecting a significant number of concerns. Out of 10 negative comments, many highlight issues with the overall price, with some dishes feeling expensive or overpriced, and not justifying the price tag for the portions provided. It seems some feel theyre paying too much for what they get.
Value
19
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
10
negative
0
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good value items
- Great deals available
- Inexpensive options
What people don't like
- Overpriced dishes
- Small portions
- Not worth cost
Often praised
- pricesprices aren’t murder
- priceI had a great meal at a good price. The spot could use a bit of freshening up, but don't let that stop you from enjoying some great middle eastern food for both carnivores and vegans.
- dealWhat made the experience even better was the incredible value; at only $. 50 a piece when buying a dozen, it's a staggeringly good deal.
- good valueoffering good value
- priced pretty wellI think they're priced pretty well too
- pricingGreat pricing as well
Frequently criticized
- priceportions are too small for the price
- pricesThe hummus lacked flavor and the chicken was dry. I've never been so disappointed by a restaurant, especially with so many good Asian options nearby for similar or even lower prices. I do not recommend this restaurant, though I hear the falafel is good here.
- $15not worth $15
- expensiveeven more expensive than the places in downtown
- price tagIt lacked vegetables and rice, consisting only of some sauce, a passable amount of meat, and a thin pita bread. While the flavor was decent, it simply doesn't justify the price tag. I would not recommend this place and would not return.
This spot offers a mixed bag on value; if you pick wisely, you can find some great deals and feel youve gotten your moneys worth. But be warned, many customers found certain items overpriced for the portion size, so choose carefully to avoid disappointment.
How are the prices at Sunrise Deli?
You’re looking at roughly 19 $ per person – reported by 21 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Middle Eastern Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests stick to this sweet spot, with a few venturing into the $21–$30 range, showing prices cluster nicely around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 21 reviews.
Comparing value for money against similar restaurants in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Middle Eastern spot in San Francisco. It offers good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Sunrise Deli
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Delicious Vegan and Middle Eastern Finds
My experience at the restaurant was very positive. The food was excellent, with a great selection of vegan items and many unique middle eastern dishes I hadn't encountered before. All of them were delicious, savory, and not overly spicy.
The service and atmosphere were also top-notch, both receiving a perfect score.
- food10
- vegan items9
- middle eastern dishes9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Needs Cleaning, Better Service, Fresher Food
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. The place needs some cleaning and better service. I believe the food would be better if prepared at the moment, not heated up.
- food prep5
- place cleaning2
- service3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Amazing Shawarma and Falafel!
My experience was fantastic! I got the shawarma sandwich and it was amazing! I loved the perfect ratio of sauces, salad, and meat.
The meat was made fresh to order and was lean. I would definitely come back for sure! They also have a food truck that visits the Sunday market on Sunset Blvd.
I tried their falafel sandwich at the market and it was so good! Try them out :)
- shawarma sandwich9
- ratio of sauces, salad, and meat9
- meat9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
2
Disappointing Shawarma Experience
I would not recommend this place. My experience with the chicken shawarma was disappointing; it did not seem authentic or fresh and did not taste good. Ideally, shawarma should be nice and hot with fresh pickled turnips, but this was soggy with limp pickles and veggies lacking flavor.
There are many better places in SF and the Bay for similar food.
- chicken shawarma2
- authentic or fresh2
- taste2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Great Food, Friendly Owner, Worth a Visit
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a no-frills place that serves up great tasting food. I had the chicken gyro, which was definitely worth coming back for when I'm in the area.
The owner is incredibly friendly and mentioned the business has been operating since 1984. I highly recommend supporting this local establishment if you're nearby; you won't be disappointed! The pricing is also great.
- tasting food9
- chicken gyro9
- owner10
What Sunrise Deli offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Small plates
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and dietary choices are available at Sunrise Deli?
At Sunrise Deli, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, with catering services also available. They offer a variety of dietary choices including healthy options, vegan options, vegetarian options, and halal food, alongside delicious small plates perfect for a quick bite.
What are the service options and accessibility features at Sunrise Deli in San Francisco?
Sunrise Deli provides convenient service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery. For your comfort, the restaurant is wheelchair accessible, featuring both a wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible seating, ensuring a welcoming experience for all guests.
What are the main strengths and weaknesses of Sunrise Deli?
Sunrise Deli is highly regarded for its delicious Food (6.9) and attentive Service (7.2). However, its Ambience (4.4) is frequently cited as needing improvement, and Value (5.2) is considered average, with some finding portions small for the price.
Is Sunrise Deli a good option for those with dietary restrictions?
Yes, many customers have highlighted the staff’s willingness to accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions, making it a considerate choice for those with specific needs.
What can I expect from the atmosphere at Sunrise Deli?
The atmosphere at Sunrise Deli is often described as a hole in the wall or homely , with some finding it charmingly rustic. However, cleanliness and the overall environment are frequently mentioned as areas that could be improved.